Match Report – 1Xl 15th June 2013

Week 7 report
Ax 1st vs Ipplepen

Fresh on the back of defeat to Bideford, and two weeks on the road, Ax 1sts were due to play at home against mid table Ipplepen. The week leading to the match had seen rain on and off but the clubs ground staff had worked hard to make the wicket as good as possible. At the toss the stand in captain of Ipplepen correctly called the right side of the coin and opted to bowl. This turned out to be a fantastic decision. Only two of the batsmen from ax managed to apply themselves to the task. Gary Larcombe got his first 50 of the season and battled very well to get there. Bradley Cross proved his abilities with the bat with an important 26 not out. Ax slumped to 166 for 7 from their 45 overs, but with the wicket playing the way it was, this seemed defendable with some good fortune. Matthew Pile showed his quality with the ball, and was again desperately unlucky not to get a break through having beaten the bat more than the runs he conceded. The opening partnership was broken by a run out from a free hit, one of only four ways to get out. Ipplepens overseas scored 92 before his demise from a brilliant take behind from Cross, and Gary finished a good individual day with 2 wickets. Ipplepen crossed the line 4 wickets down with plenty of overs left.

Back to back defeats hasn’t lost Axminsters league position, and they remain 7 points ahead of third places Chagford, who are their opponents this coming weekend.